Security Summary: January 5, 2007

Children play soccer during regular 4-hour Friday curfew in Baghdad for prayers

BASRA - An American civilian contractor of Iraqi origin and two Iraqi translators were taken hostage near the southern city of Basra on Friday, the city governor and police said. The U.S. embassy said it was checking the report.

MOSUL - Gunmen shot dead a former colonel in Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.

BAGHDAD - Mortar rounds hit a crowded market in Zafaraniya district in southeast Baghdad, killing four people and wounding 11, police said. An interior ministry source put the death toll at five and said 15 were wounded.

FALLUJA - A roadside bomb struck a U.S. marine tank in the western city of Falluja on Friday, severely damaging the vehicle but causing no casualties, the U.S. military said. Television footage showed it burning and billowing black smoke.

BAGHDAD - Iraqi special forces backed by U.S. military advisers captured four suspected leaders of a kidnapping and murder cell in Baghdad's Sadr City on Wednesday, the U.S. military said on Friday. Sadr City is a stronghold of the Mehdi Army, a Shi'ite militia. The U.S. statement said the suspects were also thought to be responsible for mortar attacks. Three other suspects were also detained for questioning.

BAIJI - A roadside bomb detonated near an Iraqi army patrol, killing a captain and wounding four soldiers in the oil refinery city of Baiji, 180 km (112 miles) north of Baghdad, army sources said.

RIYADH - Iraqi army troops killed two gunmen in the town of Riyadh, 60 km (40 miles) southwest of the northern oil city of Kirkuk, army sources said.

DHULUIYA - Gunmen attacked an Iraqi army checkpoint killing four soldiers and wounding two in the northern part of Dhuluiya, 70 km (45 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.

ISKANDARIYA - Gunmen killed a former Baath party member and his son inside his house in the town of Iskandariya, 40 km (25 miles) south of Baghdad, police said.

ISKANDARIYA - Police said they found three bodies bearing signs of torture and bullet wounds in Iskandariya.

KIRKUK - A roadside bomb targeting a police patrol wounded two policemen, including a major who was in serious condition, in the northern oil city of Kirkuk, police said.

From Reuters/Alternet